Swedish proposal would extend customs penalties to travellers

Sweden’s Finance Ministry proposes extending administrative customs penalties to private travellers, including for minor breaches that do not amount to a criminal customs offence.

The memorandum, published on Tuesday, proposes Swedish legal changes from 21 September 2027 to accompany the EU’s new customs code. The Swedish changes have not been enacted.

Today’s customs surcharge applies to economic operators required to submit written or electronic declarations, the ministry says. Private travellers can already face criminal sanctions; the proposal would bring them into the new administrative system too.

The ministry argues that EU rules leave no room for a blanket traveller exemption. It proposes calculating penalties on the same basis as for businesses, rather than setting a separate flat fee for travellers.

Most non-criminal breaches by travellers would be minor and attract relatively low fees, it expects. Higher-value goods or more serious infringements could produce larger penalties.

Intent or negligence would not be required for administrative liability. But a fee would have to be reduced or waived if the breach were excusable or charging the full amount would be unreasonable.

The assessment would consider age, health, mistaken interpretation of the rules, proportionality, unreasonable delays and cooperation with Customs to correct the breach. The ministry says travellers must have a meaningful opportunity to defend themselves.

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